Thailand cracks down on migrant workers as anti-immigration feelings rise

[webfact]

Thailand cracks down on migrant workers as anti-immigration feelings rise

By Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Panarat Thepgumpanat | BANGKOK

 

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is cracking down on migrant workers from neighbouring countries, saying they are "stealing jobs from Thais", amid fears that anti-immigrant sentiment is rising as Southeast Asia's second-largest economy stagnates.

 

In an operation led by the Thai labour department, police and troops on Wednesday raided a fresh produce market in Bangkok and arrested 14 people, most of them from neighbouring Myanmar.

 

"We have received many complaints about illegal immigrants working in markets including Vietnamese and even South Asians who were stealing jobs from Thais," Thai immigration police chief Nathorn Phrosunthorn told Reuters.

 

Full story: http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-thailand-migrants-idUKKCN11Z0CB

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2016-09-29

[trogers]

If the economy here stagnants, the economy of neighbouring countries must be in recession forcing their people to work illegally here...

[Cuchulainn]

Whatever happened to ASEAN agreements? Haven't heard anything in a few months!

[Familyonthemove]

2 minutes ago, Cuchulainn said:

Whatever happened to ASEAN agreements? Haven't heard anything in a few months!

 

I think ASEAN has been scrapped due to lack of interest.

 

No need for an expensive BREXIT campaign, just let it fade out without any fuss.

[baansgr]

14 minutes ago, Cuchulainn said:

Whatever happened to ASEAN agreements? Haven't heard anything in a few months!

ASEAN has been discussed since 1957 regarding trade deals, free movement of citizens regarding working has never been part of the discussions.

[trogers]

1 minute ago, baansgr said:

ASEAN has been discussed since 1957 regarding trade deals, free movement of citizens regarding working has never been part of the discussions.

 

That's why ASEAN would still be around decades after the EU dissolves...

[ExpatOilWorker]

22 minutes ago, baansgr said:

ASEAN has been discussed since 1957 regarding trade deals, free movement of citizens regarding working has never been part of the discussions.

 

What was the big countdown in the local newspapers then for?

I always though that was for free movement of people. 

[Gainsbourg]

ASEAN according to the Thai has always been one-way anyway. TAKE not give. The Burmese migrant workers kept eg. PHUKET alive/liveable. Most staff there comes from Myanmar and speak foreign languages. Thai boss is limited to the highly intellectual "hey you" and "no understand" blah...

[Kasset Tak]

The migrant workers are here because many small companies can't find Thais willing to work for 250-300 Baht a day.

One of my friends has a pig farm and all workers are Burmese and he pay them 250 Baht a day + 3 meals and accommodation. This is because there is no one in the surrounding villages that are willing to work for 300B (that's what he is offering Thais as they would go back home to sleep and eat).

[bannork]

36 minutes ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

 

Far from it.

 

Cambodia - Despite heightened risks to the outlook, growth should remain solid. FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists expect the economy to expand 6.9% in 2016, which is down 0.1 percentage points from last month's projection. In 2017, panelists also expect the economy to expand 6.9%.

 

Laos - Growth should remain solid this year—despite weaker regional trade—thanks in part to the government’s loose and infrastructure focused fiscal policy. FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists expect GDP to expand 7.1% in 2016, which is down 0.1 percentage points from last month’s forecast. For 2017, the panel also sees growth of 7.1%.

 

Myanmar - The lifting of economic sanctions is another milestone for Myanmar, an increasingly attractive destination for FDI. FocusEconomics panelists expect the economy to grow 8.2% in 2016, which is unchanged from last month’s estimate. For 2017, the panel projects growth of 8.1%.

 

Then we look at Thailand it is all pretty negative over the spread. http://www.focus-economics.com/countries/thailand

 

 

The average daily wage in all those countries is far lower than Thailand's which is why they will keep coming legally or illegally.

[NHJ]

28 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

 

What was the big countdown in the local newspapers then for?

I always though that was for free movement of people. 

It's only for highly qualified professions, doctors, engineers and they'll still have to pass the qualifying tests in the country they wish to work to acquire a local license.

 

 

[Yoram]

 

If all the foreign workers, both legal or illegals, will pack up and go back home,

many industries and services in Thailand will grind to a searching halt,

the authorities have no idea how many foreign worker are really, really

working in this country, if they know the truth, they be shocked.

[jonclark]

What I find amazing is that it is fairly obvious that a Thai employer is providing these jobs (which supposedly are reserved for Thai) to migrants anyway. 

 

Those fiendish devils, giving immigrants jobs reserved for their brothers and sisters and then complaining that they have been stolen from??? Send them ALL for attitude adjustment, how dare they put jobs for migrants above jobs for Thais when there are sooo many without work.

 

After all the official Thai unemployment rate is between 0.5% and 0.8% - The data can't be wrong ...can it?? 

 

https://www.bot.or.th/English/Statistics/Graph/Pages/Unemployment.aspx

[alant]

1 hour ago, baansgr said:

ASEAN has been discussed since 1957 regarding trade deals, free movement of citizens regarding working has never been part of the discussions.

Trade deals!!! Ha

[blackcab]

42 minutes ago, NHJ said:

It's only for highly qualified professions, doctors, engineers and they'll still have to pass the qualifying tests in the country they wish to work to acquire a local license.

 

 

 

Which for those professionals wanting to work in Thailand means being able to pass exams with specialist subject matter, of which at least one will be completely in Thai.

[Baerboxer]

1 hour ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

 

Far from it.

 

Cambodia - Despite heightened risks to the outlook, growth should remain solid. FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists expect the economy to expand 6.9% in 2016, which is down 0.1 percentage points from last month's projection. In 2017, panelists also expect the economy to expand 6.9%.

 

Laos - Growth should remain solid this year—despite weaker regional trade—thanks in part to the government’s loose and infrastructure focused fiscal policy. FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists expect GDP to expand 7.1% in 2016, which is down 0.1 percentage points from last month’s forecast. For 2017, the panel also sees growth of 7.1%.

 

Myanmar - The lifting of economic sanctions is another milestone for Myanmar, an increasingly attractive destination for FDI. FocusEconomics panelists expect the economy to grow 8.2% in 2016, which is unchanged from last month’s estimate. For 2017, the panel projects growth of 8.1%.

 

Then we look at Thailand it is all pretty negative over the spread. http://www.focus-economics.com/countries/thailand

 

 

 

So why are so many coming to work illegally in Thailand from these countries?

[trogers]

1 hour ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

 

Far from it.

 

Cambodia - Despite heightened risks to the outlook, growth should remain solid. FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists expect the economy to expand 6.9% in 2016, which is down 0.1 percentage points from last month's projection. In 2017, panelists also expect the economy to expand 6.9%.

 

Laos - Growth should remain solid this year—despite weaker regional trade—thanks in part to the government’s loose and infrastructure focused fiscal policy. FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists expect GDP to expand 7.1% in 2016, which is down 0.1 percentage points from last month’s forecast. For 2017, the panel also sees growth of 7.1%.

 

Myanmar - The lifting of economic sanctions is another milestone for Myanmar, an increasingly attractive destination for FDI. FocusEconomics panelists expect the economy to grow 8.2% in 2016, which is unchanged from last month’s estimate. For 2017, the panel projects growth of 8.1%.

 

Then we look at Thailand it is all pretty negative over the spread. http://www.focus-economics.com/countries/thailand

 

 

 

Then we should be seeing Thais seeking illegal jobs in those countries...and not the opposite...

[Baerboxer]

26 minutes ago, jonclark said:

What I find amazing is that it is fairly obvious that a Thai employer is providing these jobs (which supposedly are reserved for Thai) to migrants anyway. 

 

Those fiendish devils, giving immigrants jobs reserved for their brothers and sisters and then complaining that they have been stolen from??? Send them ALL for attitude adjustment, how dare they put jobs for migrants above jobs for Thais when there are sooo many without work.

 

After all the official Thai unemployment rate is between 0.5% and 0.8% - The data can't be wrong ...can it?? 

 

https://www.bot.or.th/English/Statistics/Graph/Pages/Unemployment.aspx

 

In our area all the forecourt staff at Shell petrol stations are Burmese - all speak excellent English, most are friendly and pleasant. At PTT all the staff are Thai, most not interested, slow, don't want to converse in Thai or English and not particularly friendly.

 

However, Shell are obviously breaking the law and PTT not. But how many unemployed Thais want that sort of job, and want to work in the way Shell wants them to?

[Jools]

So typical of Thai mentality. Xenophobia capital of Asia. Irritate the cash cows until they leave for brighter shores and then blame outside forces for the problems that YOU created. Brilliance.

[trogers]

1 minute ago, Baerboxer said:

 

In our area all the forecourt staff at Shell petrol stations are Burmese - all speak excellent English, most are friendly and pleasant. At PTT all the staff are Thai, most not interested, slow, don't want to converse in Thai or English and not particularly friendly.

 

However, Shell are obviously breaking the law and PTT not. But how many unemployed Thais want that sort of job, and want to work in the way Shell wants them to?

 

Burmese still got no smartphones...

[Dexlowe]

It's the Asean Economic Community (AEC) you guys are referring to. Came into effect at the end of last year with predictions of doom and gloom for Thailand. :) Which, of course, has not yet happened, altho it's a slow burning fuse. 

[williamgeorgeallen]

2 hours ago, Cuchulainn said:

Whatever happened to ASEAN agreements? Haven't heard anything in a few months!

certainly no free movement of labor. i have asked here a few times what it was all about, yet to get an answer.

[yellowboat]

1 hour ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

Xenophobia and nationalism is on the rise here.

 

We have a right-wing military junta in control.

 

Economy is struggling with exports suffering as other regional countries become more attractive and more competitive.

 

Much worse to come and deporting a few Bangladeshis and Burmese isn't going to help.

 

 

28 minutes ago, trogers said:

 

Then we should be seeing Thais seeking illegal jobs in those countries...and not the opposite...

Would that not be too ambitious ?  Thais do not seem interested in their neighbors, except for the occasional holiday goers. 

[elgordo38]

1 hour ago, bannork said:

The average daily wage in all those countries is far lower than Thailand's which is why they will keep coming legally or illegally.

Why do you think the growth rate of these countries is so big compared to Thailand. If and when the TPP is passed Viet Nam will boom. Lots of cheap disciplined labor like China few if any pollution laws basically Ya all come open door policy. Make out the check to the Communist party. All the large western corporations are salivating at the though of all that cheap knock around labor. The only union they have to contend with is the Communist Party. If you have worker problems just contact them and they will sort it out. 

Edited September 29, 2016 by elgordo38

[brianinbangkok]

It's only for highly qualified professions, doctors, engineers and they'll still have to pass the qualifying tests in the country they wish to work to acquire a local license.

 

 

And knowing Thailand the qualifying tests will be in Thai with additional roadblocks making sure its a one way deal.

But that said almost all countries will make medical staff take local tests again., just an empty agreement

[Squeegee]

Again we see the dirty parasites of the Thai establishment manipulating their slaves and hiding behind a bogey man they have created.

 

It's very simple: the problem of illegal workers is Thai because they are the employer (boss). If they do not provide these opportunities the workers would have nothing to come for.

 

The elite are happy to blame the foreigner so their sakdina slaves continue to live in misinformed ignorance and thereby support the lies and the lives of aforementioned elite parasites.

[digibum]

2 hours ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

 

Far from it.

 

Cambodia - Despite heightened risks to the outlook, growth should remain solid. FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists expect the economy to expand 6.9% in 2016, which is down 0.1 percentage points from last month's projection. In 2017, panelists also expect the economy to expand 6.9%.

 

Laos - Growth should remain solid this year—despite weaker regional trade—thanks in part to the government’s loose and infrastructure focused fiscal policy. FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists expect GDP to expand 7.1% in 2016, which is down 0.1 percentage points from last month’s forecast. For 2017, the panel also sees growth of 7.1%.

 

Myanmar - The lifting of economic sanctions is another milestone for Myanmar, an increasingly attractive destination for FDI. FocusEconomics panelists expect the economy to grow 8.2% in 2016, which is unchanged from last month’s estimate. For 2017, the panel projects growth of 8.1%.

 

Then we look at Thailand it is all pretty negative over the spread. http://www.focus-economics.com/countries/thailand

 

 

 

Exactly, the Thai economy is one of the only ones stagnating or losing ground in the region.  Everyone else is doing quite well.  

 

The influx of migrant workers is due to the fact that the benefits of that growth have not completely filtered down across the economy to unskilled labor, which is actually quite normal in most economies.  The last people to see a lift are those at the bottom.  

 

They can still come to Thailand and do jobs Thais are unwilling to do at the wages employers can afford to pay and still keep prices at the same level.   

[Familyaffairs]

Uhhhmm.....have a look at the top floor of Jungceylon Phuket, Nepalese and Indians exclusively manning the retails stalls...also many shops in Kata Karon, restaurants just off the circle in Chalong, in a soi connecting chao fa east and west, Burmese have set up garden centres, food stalls etc all in direct competition with Thais, furniture shops with Burmese workers. Behind my house illegal Burmese construction workers......Give me 10Bht for every illegal working here, and I will be a happy, wealthy camper.

[Familyonthemove]

2 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

 

What was the big countdown in the local newspapers then for?

I always though that was for free movement of people. 

 

Yes - it was part of the plan a couple of year's ago - and there was a fear in the hospitality sector that Philippino's would flood in to Thailand to run all the hotels and restaurants in tourist areas.   I guess now they'll need Chinese speakers and not English speakers?

[soalbundy]

2 hours ago, Kasset Tak said:

The migrant workers are here because many small companies can't find Thais willing to work for 250-300 Baht a day.

One of my friends has a pig farm and all workers are Burmese and he pay them 250 Baht a day + 3 meals and accommodation. This is because there is no one in the surrounding villages that are willing to work for 300B (that's what he is offering Thais as they would go back home to sleep and eat).

Here in Isaan there are still Thai's working on part time basis for 150 Baht a day, it's take it or leave it and with the new government price for rice at 6 Baht a kilo they take it.